5.17.2010

They didn't forget to build a toilet, at least. There were 76 people in the room, you've counted, and there was 1 toilet. There is always someone inside; the results were of course an undeniable stench coming out from that door. You thought 76 civilized decent people would be able to keep the toilet clean. The reality was, however educated you are you still shit and piss like any other person, and your smell isn't any better.

Mother tried to hold on her bladder as long as she can, everytime. She felt like retching whenever she's in there. You watch her as she held her shirt to her nose, and pulled out extra courage just to get in the toilet. She was born in a lucky era, and now she's unlucky. Grandma, on the other hand, was untouched by the filth. You wonder if she has lost her sense of smell. No, she's just seen worse days.

Finally, it was your dad; the ever loving figure. He got up, and cleaned the whole lot. Right before Mother had to go. People looked at him as though he is crazy, would you rather him be otherwise? You felt bad because it wasn't you who did it, you felt good he got up first so it doesn't have to be you.

Food was scarce now. You guessed they forgot that humans need food to live on. But you knew better, they just didn't expect it to last for so long. They did prepare some, but not enough for 76 people times five days. They thought it would soon end, but no, the rain kept coming. There was nothing else to destroy was there? There was no retaliation, no fighting back, why do they keep on wasting effort? They must really hate you.

Right after all the food were gone, the children start crying. Even Leaking Drain couldn't quiet them. Grandma was hungry, but she didn't say anything. Father, he opened his bag and found the bread mother had packed, he split it into 10 pieces. He kept four pieces; tucked it back, and gave the rest to the children. None of us stopped him, we were silent. It worked, the children were happy and forgot they were just crying a second ago.

Your brother created a new song, it's called Goddamn Fire. Funny enough, it was a cheerful tone. The children learned to sing it, and even their mothers did not stop them from repeatedly saying 'goddamn'. You laughed at your brother and the children. Yet you think he was stupid, singing instead of thinking of a plan for tomorrow, when we all resurface.

So what did you do? While your brother made a song, sang? While your father shared his food, while your grandmother stroke your mother's hand? Nothing. You thought about anger, would you be able to get revenge for your burnt down house? How? No, you won't be able to execute that, you're not even athletic. You thought about the subject you had about politics, you thought about making a change to the world once you are important enough and got a good solid job. You thought about covering your house with the world's strongest material so that it can never be destroyed. Where did your thoughts get you to? Nowhere.

But you don't know that. Because you were busy and lost in it.

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